India’s Strategic Imperative Amid Global Shifts: Insights from Jaishankar at JNU’s Aravalli Summit
- MGMMTeam
- Oct 7
- 3 min read
At the inaugural Aravalli Summit held at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar addressed the pressing need for India to adopt a calculated and clear-eyed approach in the face of profound global transformations. His remarks highlighted the evolving economic, technological, and geopolitical landscapes, urging India to strategically position itself amidst growing uncertainties.
Global Transformations and Their Implications
Dr. Jaishankar emphasized that the pace and scale of global change are unprecedented. He pointed to the significant shift in manufacturing, noting that nearly a third of global production has moved to a single geography, disrupting traditional supply chains. Simultaneously, rising anti-globalization sentiments, tariff volatility, and shifts in the global energy landscape — with the U.S. emerging as a major fossil fuel exporter and China leading in renewable technologies — are redefining international norms. These developments, he observed, necessitate a recalibration of India’s foreign policy and economic strategies to maintain resilience and adaptability.
Technological Competition and Economic Sovereignty
Highlighting the rise of competing models in artificial intelligence and data governance, Dr. Jaishankar stressed the increasing influence of Big Tech as a global power center. Emerging connectivity routes, evolving labour mobility patterns, sanctions, cryptocurrency trends, and the scramble for critical minerals are reshaping the global financial and economic order. The minister also underscored that these shifts are not merely technological or economic; they carry serious geopolitical consequences. The nature of warfare and weaponry has transformed, making conflicts more stand-off, impactful, and risk-prone.
Navigating a Fragmented Geopolitical Landscape
Dr. Jaishankar observed that global norms are eroding, with alliances and understandings being revisited. Countries increasingly pursue margins of power rather than cooperative compacts, leading to heightened competition. In this environment, India must not only defend its interests but also strategize for continued growth. By navigating a multipolar world while preparing to emerge as a pole itself, India can assert its influence on global affairs. Multi-alignment, he suggested, remains a pragmatic approach to managing contemporary geopolitical volatility.
India’s Path Forward
The Aravalli Summit underscored that India’s rise must be guided by strategic clarity, economic strength, and diplomatic agility. Dr. Jaishankar emphasized that India’s democratic values, economic potential, and strategic location position it to play a pivotal role in shaping the emerging world order. Despite global unpredictability, India is encouraged to pursue an ambitious trajectory, ensuring that it remains agile, informed, and prepared to influence the 21st-century global landscape.
The MGMM Outlook
At the recent Aravalli Summit hosted at Jawaharlal Nehru University, External Affairs Minister Dr. S. Jaishankar highlighted the critical need for India to navigate a rapidly transforming global landscape with strategic foresight. He underscored how shifts in manufacturing, global energy dynamics, and anti-globalization trends are reshaping international norms. The minister emphasized that emerging technological powers, particularly in artificial intelligence and data governance, alongside evolving financial and trade patterns, demand that India maintain economic resilience and technological adaptability. These global developments, he suggested, are not just economic or technological but have deep geopolitical implications, affecting security, defense, and the balance of international power.
In addressing India’s role on the world stage, Dr. Jaishankar advocated a pragmatic approach of multi-alignment, enabling the country to protect its interests while positioning itself as a key actor in a multipolar world. He highlighted the importance of leveraging India’s democratic values, economic potential, and strategic location to assert influence in global affairs.
(Sources: Firstpost, Times of India, India Today)
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